DONNA MILAKOVIC - North County Staff | Posted: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 11:00 pm
After a year in which the former mayor was caught lying about his education and later resigned ahead of criminal charges of misusing public funds, Eagle Mountain is looking forward to 2007.
"We are excited about 2007. We are looking forward to more growth in Eagle Mountain," said new Mayor Don D. Richardson.
Since taking office in November, Richardson said he has been gathering information in order to set goals for the city. Interviewing employees and meeting with council members was only a part of the process.
He has met with developers and lobbyists and requested reports on the status of each department in an effort to get a clear picture of the current situation in the city. The information gathering has also included listening to goals and ideas from each person involved in the development of the city.
"We are moving forward, methodically moving forward," he said.
One of the first steps in that forward motion includes finding a city administrator. Richardson said that applicants for the position are currently being interviewed and he hopes that a decision can be made at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday.
Councilwoman and former interim mayor Linn Strouse said that she hopes 2007 will bring "renewed hope, trust and cooperation for City Council as well as residents under the leadership of Mayor Richardson and our new very qualified and experienced city administrator."
The city has been without a chief of staff or city administrator since Mike Wren, the former chief of staff, was released from that position on the first of November.
Along with choosing a city administrator, the city is working on coordinating with the Utah Department of Transportation to address transportation issues in the area. Richardson met with UDOT officials and discussed the 1000 South road changes and other potential projects in north Utah County.
He also met with officials from Alpine School District to look at plans for the new high school planned for Saratoga Springs. The groundbreaking for the school is tentatively scheduled for March.
Planners anticipate the 77-acre facility will be completed in two years. Once the high school opens it will serve students from Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain.
There was also discussion of putting two new elementary schools in Eagle Mountain as well because of the increasing number of families with young children who are moving into the area.
"We are amazed by the growth of the city. We couldn't believe how many people came to the tree lighting. I think we will see the same for Pony Express Days. We will have a greater turnout and the city will enjoy something they can call their own," Richardson said.
He is not only working on local events and goals but is also working with Washington, D.C., lobbyist Michael Kennedy to make sure that various needs of the city get attention in national government.
"We have talked about transportation and emergency preparedness, making sure the city is prepared for any emergency. We are discussing what we want to lobby for this next year. He actually gets people to come to him and talk about Eagle Mountain in Washington."
While the city is looking forward, former mayor Brian Olsen, who resigned in October, will appear in court on Friday for a waiver hearing on seven counts of misusing public funds.
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page C1.